Touch type panel switch for a swing arm of an exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a touch type panel switch for a swing arm of an exercise apparatus. At least one touch type panel switch for the touch of the human finger is disposed at a swing arm (or movable handrail) of an exercise apparatus. The touch type panel switch may be coupled to an electronic console of the exercise apparatus via a conducting line. Meanwhile, a preset function is achieved by a built-in microprocessor. In this way, a practical adjustment of the exercise apparatus to a proper exercise setting (such as of the speed, slope or resistance of the exercise) is ensured.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Fields of the Invention

The invention relates to a touch switch of an exercise apparatus, and more particularly to a switch that permits a practical adjustment of the exercise setting of the exercise apparatus by only one finger of the operator, thereby achieving the practicalness and convenience.

2. Description of the Related Art

The inventor of the present invention has filed two patent applications, one is “method for controlling an electric treadmill” (published in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,461) and the other is “structure of rocker arms with optical sensing control for an exercise apparatus” (application Ser. No. 11/079,545). The first disclosure includes at least one sensing unit at the position of the handrail such that an air sensing range is created. As a result, a practical activation is achieved by swinging the palm within the air sensing range.

The first disclosure is really a progressive and practical innovation for the electric treadmill with stationary handrails and is favored by consumers in all countries. However, the structure in accordance with the first disclosure has problem in operation or application to other apparatuses when the exercise apparatus is fitted with movable handrails that can be held by both hands of the operator and movable therewith. This is because the air sensing range should not be changed at any time during the operation. Accordingly, the application of the first disclosure is restricted to some extent.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, the invention developed the second disclosure that includes an optical sensing unit having similar effect for the exercise apparatus with movable handrails. In this way, the light source can be blocked out by only one finger of the operator for effectively achieving the expected operation and control effects.

The second disclosure can really fulfill the operation and control effects and is suitable for all exercise apparatuses with either stationary or movable handrails. However, the photosensors (such as photoresistors, etc.) are extremely sensitive. The action will take place only when the light source is exactly and carefully blocked during the operation. It is impractical particularly for operators with less patience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, the inventor of the present invention based on years of experience in the related industry to conduct extensive researches, and finally invented a more economical and convenient touch type panel switch for the operator to adjust the personal exercise setting. In this way, different requirements of the consumers may be fulfilled. Therefore, a common touch type panel switch is employed in cooperation with an electronic console having a microprocessor. As a result, a preset function may be fulfilled by the touch type panel. Furthermore, the drawbacks in operation of the prior art products may be eliminated. This is the primary object of the invention.

According to the invention, at least one touch type panel switch for the touch of the human finger is disposed at a swing arm of an exercise apparatus. The touch type panel switch may be coupled to an electronic console of the exercise apparatus via a conducting line, thereby achieving a preset function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The technical characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which two preferred embodiment of the invention are illustrated, at least one touch type panel switch 20 for the touch of the human finger is disposed at a swing arm 10 (or movable handrail) of an exercise apparatus (not shown). The touch type panel switch 20 may be coupled to an electronic console (not shown) of the exercise apparatus via a conducting line (not shown). Meanwhile, a preset function is achieved by a built-in microprocessor (not shown). In this way, a practical adjustment of the exercise apparatus to a proper exercise setting (such as of the speed, slope or resistance of the exercise) is ensured.

The control operation of the motor (not shown) rotational speed of the exercise apparatus by means of the touch type panel switch 20 will be detailed in the following text. As shown in FIG. 1, the swing arm 10 at one side of the exercise apparatus may be employed for the acceleration control while the swing arm 10 (not shown) at the other side of the exercise apparatus is employed for the deceleration control. As shown in FIG. 2, two touch type panel switches 20 are disposed on the swing arm 10 at one side of the exercise apparatus for conducting the acceleration and deceleration control of the motor while the other two touch type panel switches are disposed on the swing arm at the other side of the exercise apparatus for conducting the control of the slope or the resistance.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claim. 

1. A touch type panel switch for a swing arm of an exercise apparatus, the touch type panel switch being adapted for the touch of the human finger and disposed at the swing arm of the exorcise apparatus, the touch type panel switch being coupled to an electronic console of the exercise apparatus via a conducting line, a built-in microprocessor being installed for performing a preset function, whereby a practical adjustment of the exercise apparatus to a proper exercise setting is ensured. 